Which Birth Model Is Right for You?
One of the biggest decisions you’ll make in pregnancy is choosing the model of care that feels right for you.
In Australia, there are a few different paths to consider. Some are more medical, some more holistic. Some involve seeing lots of different providers, while others give you continuity with the same midwife from early pregnancy through birth and into the newborn weeks.
There’s no “one-size-fits-all.” It’s about finding the option that feels safest, most supportive, and most aligned with your hopes for birth. Let’s walk through the main choices — and how MAMA can support you.
Obstetrician-led care (OB care)
This is the traditional private hospital model, where an obstetrician is your main carer throughout pregnancy and birth.
Style of care: Specialist-led, highly medicalised, with frequent monitoring.
Best suited if: You have a high-risk pregnancy, a complex medical history, or feel safest knowing a doctor is in charge.
Things to consider: While very thorough, this model tends to come with higher rates of induction, caesarean, and other interventions.
Midwife-led continuity of care
This is the heart of what we do at MAMA. With this model, you’re cared for by a known midwife (or small team) who walks with you from early pregnancy right through the “fourth trimester”.
Style of care: Individualised, holistic, with regular visits and 24/7 support once you’re booked in.
Best suited if: You want personalised care, strong emotional support, and a trusted guide through pregnancy and birth.
Things to consider: Research shows midwifery continuity lowers intervention rates and reduces the risk of birth trauma. Families often describe this care as not just safer — but kinder.
Shared care with a hospital
Shared care is a blend: your hospital or obstetrician remains your primary carer, while your MAMA midwives provide extra continuity and advocacy.
Style of care: A mix of hospital care and private midwifery support. Your MAMA midwife comes to your home in early labour and accompanies you to the hospital when it’s time.
Best suited if: You’d like the reassurance of a hospital setting but still want a known midwife by your side.
Things to consider: Some hospitals offer official “shared care,” while others allow midwives to provide complementary support.
Homebirth with MAMA
Planned homebirth is a safe option for many families with low-risk pregnancies. In Victoria, outcomes for mothers and babies are comparable across all professional models of care.
Style of care: Your MAMA midwives remain your primary carers throughout pregnancy, birth, and the postnatal period. We bring all the necessary equipment, follow national guidelines, and work closely with hospitals if transfer becomes necessary.
Best suited if: You want to birth in the comfort of your own home, with minimal intervention and maximum familiarity.
Things to consider: Families often choose homebirth for the calm, control, and connection it offers.
VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Caesarean) support
For parents who’ve had a caesarean before, a VBAC may be an option.
Style of care: Evidence-based guidance, continuity, and advocacy from your MAMA midwives, with collaboration alongside hospitals when needed.
Best suited if: You’d like to increase your chances of VBAC success through supportive, continuous care.
Things to consider: A VBAC can be a safe and positive choice for many families when properly supported.
Early pregnancy and beyond
At MAMA, care can begin as early as six weeks — with initial tests, lifestyle support, and early pregnancy education. From there, we walk with you through every stage: antenatal education, labour preparation, birth support, and postnatal recovery.
Choosing the right care for you
As you think about your options, consider:
Do I want a highly medical or more holistic approach?
Do I feel safest in a hospital, or at home?
How important is continuity of care to me?
What kind of emotional and physical support would I like during labour and after birth?
Final word
No matter which model you choose, the most important thing is that you feel safe, respected, and supported.
At MAMA, we believe birth is not just about having a healthy mum and baby — it’s also about how you feel along the way. That’s why we offer midwife-led continuity across homebirths, shared care, VBAC support, and postnatal care.
✨ Curious about which model might suit you best? Take our Birth Model Quiz and start exploring your options today.
-
Yes — for women with low-risk pregnancies, planned homebirth with qualified midwives is considered safe. Research in Victoria shows outcomes for mothers and babies are comparable across professional models of care. Your midwife will always follow national guidelines and recommend transfer to hospital if needed.
-
Obstetricians are medical specialists who manage pregnancy and birth from a medical perspective, often in private hospitals. Midwives are experts in normal pregnancy and birth, providing holistic, continuous care and emotional support. The right choice depends on your health, your values, and where you feel most comfortable giving birth.
-
Absolutely. Many families choose “shared care” — combining the medical oversight of a hospital with the personalised support of a private midwife. At MAMA, our midwives can provide continuity of care before, during, and after your hospital birth, so you feel supported every step of the way.